Animal Care Assistant / Receptionist

About the Role

This is a part-time, permanent position working 20 hours per week across four days, with flexible scheduling between core hours of 10:00–16:30 and occasional weekend availability. You’ll be based at the RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre, a bustling rescue facility where no two days are alike. You’re not just answering phones—you’re often the first friendly face a nervous, vulnerable animal encounters, and the one celebrating when they find their forever home. It’s fast-paced, deeply rewarding work in a supportive environment where your initiative and independent judgment are genuinely valued.

The role combines reception duties with hands-on animal care, so you’ll need to be a confident multitasker who thrives in a collaborative setting. The rural Surrey location means you’ll need your own transport, but the close-knit team and meaningful work make it worth the commute.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for the public, managing sensitive animal intakes and the rewarding process of successful rehoming
• Maintain all paperwork, IT records, and microchip data with accuracy and attention to detail
• Take ownership of shop presentation, stock rotation, and cash reconciliation to ensure financial records are correct
• Keep the reception, public areas, and facilities spotless, welcoming, and secure at all times
• Collaborate closely with the Animal Centre Manager, Deputy Manager, and team colleagues (including volunteers) to ensure smooth daily operations
• Provide animal care when required: preparing food, maintaining clean and disinfected accommodation, assisting with grooming and exercise
• Support basic medical tasks including administering medications and monitoring animal health, reporting any concerns to the management team

Requirements

• Essential: Good administrative and IT skills for documentation, record keeping, and reception management
• Essential: Strong communication and customer care skills to interact confidently with diverse people in various situations
• Essential: Team player with a positive, flexible approach to work
• Essential: Own transport (the centre is in a rural area with limited public transport)
• Desirable: Driving licence
• Desirable: Previous reception experience in a similar setting
• Legal right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
• Successful candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Benefits

• Salary: £22,932 pro rata plus 4% shift allowance
• 25 days holiday (pro rata for part-time hours)
• 35-hour working week framework (full-time equivalent)
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational sick pay
• Life assurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Dog-friendly workplace policies
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount schemes and employee perks
• Family-friendly policies

About the Practice

The RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre is part of the national RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), one of the UK’s oldest and most respected animal welfare charities. Founded to champion animal welfare across England and Wales, the RSPCA operates a network of animal centres, rescue services, and veterinary facilities. Millbrook specifically focuses on animal rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming, supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

The centre values a supportive, inclusive culture where all team members feel trusted to take ownership of their work. The RSPCA actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and offers reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure fair access.